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Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Local history
Once, the output of such yards as Harland & Wolff and Workman,
Clark was vital business of national and international importance.
The Harland & Wolff yard had a long association of building
ships for the White Star Line, culminating in the three largest
passenger vessels of the Edwardian era, Olympic, Titanic and
Britannic, as well as others for the International Mercantile
Marine Co. This beautifully illustrated volume from Richard P. de
Kerbrech and David L. Williams covers aspects of the construction
and the skilled craftsmen that worked on these ships, and many
others, from the Edwardian era to the 1920s, revelling in
atmospheric views of the boiler shop, foundry, machine shop and
slipways, as well as many successful launchings. The rich array of
images showcases the labour-intensive heavy engineering and
shipyard practices that were once part of Belfast's major industry,
now sadly no more.
Ronnie Earle was a Texas legend. During his three decades as the
district attorney responsible for Austin and surrounding Travis
County, he prosecuted corrupt corporate executives and state
officials, including the notorious US congressman Tom DeLay. But
Earle maintained that the biggest case of his career was the one
involving Frank Hughey Smith, the ex-convict millionaire, alleged
criminal mastermind, and Dixie Mafia figure. With the help of
corrupt local authorities, Smith spent the 1970s building a
criminal empire in auto salvage and bail bonds. But there was one
problem: a rival in the salvage business threatened his dominance.
Smith hired arsonists to destroy the rival; when they botched the
job, he sent three gunmen, but the robbery they planned was a
bloody fiasco. Investigators were convinced that Smith was guilty,
but many were skeptical that the newly elected and inexperienced
Earle could get a conviction. Amid the courtroom drama and
underworld plots the book describes, Willie Nelson makes a cameo.
So do the private eyes, hired guns, and madams who kept Austin not
only weird but also riddled with vice. An extraordinary true story,
Last Gangster in Austin paints an unusual picture of the Texas
capital as a place that was wild, wonderful, and as crooked as the
dirt road to paradise.
Wakefield, the capital of the former West Riding of Yorkshire, has
a long and distinguished past. It came to prominence as a centre
for the cloth trade in the latter half of the 15th century, the
trade in cloth becoming a major part of the town's economy until
recent years. By 1880, Wakefield as a town had expanded and gained
many new institutions built on the wealth of the cloth trade, coal
mining and heavy industry. Changing Wakefield presents a glimpse
into what the townscape of Wakefield was like at the close of the
19th century and compares it to the modern cityscape that has
constantly changed and evolved since 1880. Important buildings in
today's cityscape are looked at in depth with concise histories of
the buildings and the people that built or lived in these notable
landmarks. This fascinating historical time capsule also presents
rare images and histories of many of the lost architectural
treasures of Wakefield.
"I first saw New Mexico as a kid, in 1950," the author says. "At
once I fell under its hypnotic spell, as have so many others. My
commitment to become a writer about things New Mexican was born
shortly thereafter. From more than a half century of prowlings
along the byways of the state, I've managed to glean a fair
knowledge of its peoples and culture. "What continues to impress me
is that history in New Mexico lies so close to the surface. Here
one continually runs into Indians, Hispanos and fourth or fifth
generation Anglos whose lives and outlook are firmly rooted in the
years before yesterday. Moreover, their personal histories are
enriched by the backdrop of an extraordinary landscape. These
realities have provided me an abundance of material for carving out
the series of short narratives compiled in the book." Marc Simmons
is a professional author and historian who has published more than
forty books on New Mexico and the American Southwest. His popular
"Trail Dust" column is syndicated in several regional newspapers.
In 1993, King Juan Carlos of Spain admitted him to the knightly
Order of Isabel la Catolica for his contributions to Spanish
colonial history.
Much anticipated sequel to 2010's "Southampton Murder Victims".
Each case is arranged in chronological order, allowing the reader
to dip into the period of their choice. It contains over 200
pictures, some of them official police photographs. This book is a
sequel to "Southampton Murder Victims", produced in 2010 by DB
Publishing and the present book is a joint publication with DB
Publishing and the Hampshire Constabulary History Society. The
former book explained, in some depth, the various amendments to the
original mandatory death penalty for murder; the stages of penal
servitude that were imposed, until abolished in 1948; an
explanation of the former Assize Court system, and the
establishment of the Crown Courts that replaced them in 1972.
"Southampton Murder Victims Vol II" is the result of painstaking
research by the author, who had unrivalled access to police and
other archive files normally unavailable to the general public. It
has resulted in fascinating accounts of over sixty murders
committed in Southampton between 1873 and 2012. The accounts are
arranged in strict chronological order, allowing the reader to dip
into the period of their choice, the earlier cases arousing
nostalgia for parts of the city that have long since vanished. The
book contains many illustrations, some of them official police
photos showing the scene of the crime and published for the first
time, making "Southampton Murder Victims Vol II" a must-read for
the bloodthirsty, the historians and the just plain curious.
Often called "The World's Playground," Atlantic City is seen over
100 years. More than 250 color images display its evolution into a
popular vacation destination. From the beach, boardwalk, and the
Miss America Pagent in Convention Hall, to the Apollo Theatre, the
world famous Steel Pier, and Traymore Hotel, the city's first 100
years put it on the map and made it a major destination. Relive the
magic as you explore the streets that inspired the classic Monopoly
game.
This is a fascinating account of the developments that created
Chichester. It offers an insight into the events and individuals
who shaped the town's history. It is illustrated with hundred of
photographs, maps and drawings. Ken Green's densely illustrated
history of Chichester gives a fascinating account of the varied and
surprising events, personalities and wider developments that
created the town of the present day. In a series of vivid
historical snapshots, he takes the reader through thousands of
years of history, from the earliest known prehistoric settlement,
through the Roman and medieval periods, to the thriving but
well-preserved town of today. He writes of the building of the
castle and the cathedral and the medieval layout of the town's
streets, which still survives. More recent developments are
described too - hospitals, schools, churches, chapels, Victorian
terraces, modern estates, the railway and modern roads, all of
which make up the contemporary city. At the same time he gives a
telling insight into the significant events and individuals who
shaped the town's history. His book is illustrated with hundreds of
photographs, maps and drawings from the author's collection, from
the Chichester Observer and the West Sussex Record Office, and it
will be essential reading for every Chichester resident, past and
present.
In this book: each chapter features a different walk and contains
clear and precise walk data with a map, and gives information on
local conveniences, refreshments and other places of interest in
the locality; every route offers the option of the long walk or the
shorter version; and, route details give facts on various landmarks
passed by, the history of each place and some feature tales of
famous names connected to the area. The Derwent Valley is one of
this country's finest assets, both from the point of view of its
heritage and magnificent scenery. Although only about 60 miles in
length, it fills mighty reservoirs near its source, and has been
harnessed to power mills and, most importantly played an
outstanding part in the Industrial Revolution. This was recognised
in 2001, when the Derwent Valley was awarded World Heritage Status,
the site running from Masson Mill at Matlock Bath to the former
Derby Silk Mill, a distance of approximately 15 miles. It is the
only World Heritage Site in the East Midlands. In this title, the
walks and features are designed to enable visitors to discover this
unique and stunningly beautiful valley, both from the valley floor
and high up on the surrounding hills and cliff tops. The walks are
suitable both for the long distance walker as well as for those who
just want a short walk. As they can be completed in short or long
stages, dependent on time and choice. In total there are twenty
linear walks, and ten circular walks. The latter can all be
subdivided into two short walks, making fifty walks in all to
provide hours of exploration and enjoyment. Suggested refreshment
stops, suitable for both linear and circular walks have been
listed. Also numerous places of interest, both in the Derwent
Valley and a little further away, which if you have the time, you
will find well worth the effort of visiting. Some are open all
year, others on a more restricted basis.
With nearly 300 photographs, many of them from the Media Wales
archives, this title presents a pictorial record and a nostalgic
reminder of how Wales' vibrant capital city has changed over the
years.
Albuquerque, New Mexico, a city astride a great river, celebrates
its teicentennial with thirty of its most colourful citizens
sharing in their own words memories of a place and time after the
second world war, when a modern city's character and landscape were
being shaped. Stop in for a meal at Duran's Pharmacy, Wander down
Central to the corner of First, the city's historic centre. Visit
the creaky memories of Old Town and smell the coffee in Las
Barelas. Stroll the winding street of Martinez Town or thrill to a
rise in a hot-air balloon at the State Fair. Nob Hill in the
south-east heights, circa 1940, imagined itself out of the desert
scrub. By 1950 housing subdivisions began to crawl toward the
Sandias, and downtown saw its heyday along with the inevitability
of its decline. Preservation and conservation found their way onto
the city stage, and today a revitalisation movement has breathed
new life into old town and downtown.
The Fort Myers and Sanibel Island, Florida, area is peppered with
beautiful homes, luxury resorts, and beautiful seashells. See the
early years through 450 rare postcard views, drawings, and
photographs. Tour Thomas Edisons winter home and laboratory. Visit
Sanibel -- the most popular seashelling island in the world. Relive
the grandeur of the Royal Palm Hotel. Ride along the Tamiami Trail
to a Seminole Indian Village and take a side trip to the
surrounding communities, including Naples and Gasparilla Island.
History lovers, tourists, and residents alike will treasure this
Florida keepsake.
Seattle Then and Now presents archival photos along with modern
views of the same sites as they appear today, highlighting some of
the best-loved places in the city along with striking examples of
modern architecture that help make Seattle such a vibrant and
innovative city. Seattle's growth from a small lumber town to one
of the world's most influential urban centers has been spectacular.
Little more than a century ago, the city was made up of dirt roads
and timber buildings. The arrival of the Great Northern Railroad in
1893 and the start of the Klondike gold rush in 1897 changed all
that. Businesses in Seattle are still booming today, but they are
now less dependent on location and more on inspiration. Seattle
Then and Now presents archival photos along with modern views of
the same sites as they appear today, highlighting some of the
best-loved places in the city along with striking examples of
modern architecture that help make Seattle such a vibrant and
innovative city.
A Detailed History of RAF Manston 1916-1930: The Men Who Made
Manston covers the development of aviation in Thanet up to and
including the period of the First World War. Manston had its
origins in the Royal Naval Seaplane Station at Westgate that was
later expanded for landplane operations. The fact that the landing
ground at Westgate was both dangerous and unsuitable lead to the
development at Manston. Lieutenant Spenser Grey was the first
airman to land in Thanet and he began a popular trend with various
aviators being attracted to the area. In August 1913, The Daily
Mail organised the Round Britain Aeroplane Race that both began and
ended at Ramsgate giving a great boost to the town. The first unit
to be based at Manston was 3 Wing RNAS that moved from Detling in
April 1916 and the first CO was appointed in May. During the war,
aeroplanes based at Manston and particularly its 'War Flight'
played an important role in defending the Thames and Medway
estuaries. Together with RNAS Eastchurch, Manston's War Flight of
Triplanes, Camels and Pups patrolled the coast and amongst its most
famous moments was when on 22 August 1917, a German Gotha bomber
was shot down near Vincent's Farm. The authors give a detailed
history of the units that were based at Manston during this period,
their operations and the commanding officers. Manston was unique in
many ways, but particularly as it was the only airfield to have
built an underground hangar for the protection of its aeroplanes.
After the First World War, Manston expanded and it took on the role
of a training station. This first book in a three-book series will
finish approximately at the end of the war period and continue with
the growth of the station during the inter-war years.
The Illustrated History of Southampton's Suburbs is the first
single-volume survey of the history of the development if the
residential areas of the city. Local historian Jim Brown chronicles
the growth of the suburbs from the earliest times to the present
day and he illuminates the lives of people who lived in them. His
fascinating book will appeal to anyone with an interest in the
story of Southampton. The narrative is illustrated with more than
200 photographs, drawings and maps. Jim Brown shows how the
countryside, farms and villages developed into the urban streets,
residential areas, shopping districts and industrial estates that
are so familiar today. In the course of the last 150 years, the
outskirts of the city have been transformed, and they have
expanded, in a way that would astonish Southampton residents of
just a few generations ago. The districts featured include Bassett,
Bitterne, Bitterne Manor, Bitterne Park, Eastern Docks, Freemantle,
Harefield, Highfield, Itchen, Maybush, Merry Oak, Millbrook,
Northam, Peartree, Portswood, Redbridge, Shirley, Shirley Warren,
Sholing, South Stoneham, St Denys, Swaythling and Woolston.In his
fully illustrated account of each suburb, Jim Brown offers a
concise history as well as local anecdotes and folklore. He also
recalls remarkable episodes and notable individuals who played
their part in the story, His survey will be essential reading and
reference for Southampton residents past and present, who take an
interest in their neighbourhood and in the complex, surprising
history of the city itself.
Although the interiors of aristocratic homes have received much
attention, there has been little written about how the interiors of
middle-class homes evolved through the ages. In this study, James
Ayres traces the development - in words and pictures - of
vernacular British interiors from the 16th to the mid-19th century.
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